I’ve had clients
give up alcohol and drop weight like a hot potato. But then a holiday
or special occasion comes along, they celebrate with a drink or two, and
when alcohol creeps back into the picture, so do their lost pounds and
inches.
Like any habit that impacts weight, consistency is the true key to getting–and keeping–results. So if you don’t want to be a teetotaler for life, use these techniques to create a workable balance.
Know what one drink is
Research shows that both men and women who drink in moderation are less likely than non-drinkers to be obese. But on the flip side, more than moderate drinking is linked to a greater risk of being overweight or obese. So what’s moderation? For a woman, it’s no more than one “standard drink” a day, or two for a man. One standard drink is either a 1.5 oz shot of 80 proof distilled spirits, 5 oz of wine (a little less than a yogurt container) or a 12 oz beer (a bottle or can). Each contains about the same amount of alcohol, and will therefore raise your blood alcohol concentration fairly equally. And nope, they don’t roll over, so abstaining during the week and downing 7-14 drinks over the weekend doesn’t count as moderate drinking.
Tip: On a given day 36% of men and 21% of women consume alcohol, and most don’t exceed the recommended limits. If you’re not sure if you’re overdoing it, track your intake for a week or two. I’ve had clients say they think they are light drinkers, only to find out that they’re well above what’s considered moderate after logging their habits.
Watch your portions
One recent study found that the average amount of wine and liquor served at restaurants was about 40% more than a standard drink. Also, ordering a pint of beer rather than a bottle means an extra 4 ounces. Then there are the mixed drinks the size of smoothies, like a frozen margarita in a mug, which can pack nearly 500 calories, as much or more than an entire meal should provide.
Tip: When you’re out, watch the bartender make or pour your drink, try to eyeball the amount, and adjust your estimation accordingly. In other words, the one drink you paid for may actually contain one and a half, or two. At home, grab a jigger to measure liquor, and use retro (meaning smaller) wine and cocktail ware–liquid served in a smaller fuller glass really does feel like more than the same amount served in a larger emptier one.
Be carb smart
Vodka sodas have become the customary skinny cocktail because both vodka and club soda (note: not tonic) are carb free. Twelve ounces of ultra low carb beer and five ounces of dry wine contain a little more, about 3-4 grams respectively, but a regular beer packs at least 10 grams, about as much as a quarter cup of brown rice. Just 4 ounces of cola contains about 12 grams, and the same amount of sour mix will cost you a whopping 25 grams of carb.
Tip: If you’re drinking with a meal or appetizer that contains carbs, scaling back in your drink isn’t a bad idea. One regular beer three nights a week snowballs into over 1,500 surplus carb grams a year, as much as 100 slices of bread.
READ MORE
Like any habit that impacts weight, consistency is the true key to getting–and keeping–results. So if you don’t want to be a teetotaler for life, use these techniques to create a workable balance.
Know what one drink is
Research shows that both men and women who drink in moderation are less likely than non-drinkers to be obese. But on the flip side, more than moderate drinking is linked to a greater risk of being overweight or obese. So what’s moderation? For a woman, it’s no more than one “standard drink” a day, or two for a man. One standard drink is either a 1.5 oz shot of 80 proof distilled spirits, 5 oz of wine (a little less than a yogurt container) or a 12 oz beer (a bottle or can). Each contains about the same amount of alcohol, and will therefore raise your blood alcohol concentration fairly equally. And nope, they don’t roll over, so abstaining during the week and downing 7-14 drinks over the weekend doesn’t count as moderate drinking.
Tip: On a given day 36% of men and 21% of women consume alcohol, and most don’t exceed the recommended limits. If you’re not sure if you’re overdoing it, track your intake for a week or two. I’ve had clients say they think they are light drinkers, only to find out that they’re well above what’s considered moderate after logging their habits.
Watch your portions
One recent study found that the average amount of wine and liquor served at restaurants was about 40% more than a standard drink. Also, ordering a pint of beer rather than a bottle means an extra 4 ounces. Then there are the mixed drinks the size of smoothies, like a frozen margarita in a mug, which can pack nearly 500 calories, as much or more than an entire meal should provide.
Tip: When you’re out, watch the bartender make or pour your drink, try to eyeball the amount, and adjust your estimation accordingly. In other words, the one drink you paid for may actually contain one and a half, or two. At home, grab a jigger to measure liquor, and use retro (meaning smaller) wine and cocktail ware–liquid served in a smaller fuller glass really does feel like more than the same amount served in a larger emptier one.
Be carb smart
Vodka sodas have become the customary skinny cocktail because both vodka and club soda (note: not tonic) are carb free. Twelve ounces of ultra low carb beer and five ounces of dry wine contain a little more, about 3-4 grams respectively, but a regular beer packs at least 10 grams, about as much as a quarter cup of brown rice. Just 4 ounces of cola contains about 12 grams, and the same amount of sour mix will cost you a whopping 25 grams of carb.
Tip: If you’re drinking with a meal or appetizer that contains carbs, scaling back in your drink isn’t a bad idea. One regular beer three nights a week snowballs into over 1,500 surplus carb grams a year, as much as 100 slices of bread.
READ MORE
No comments:
Post a Comment